Clayton Kershaw Unaware Dodgers Won World Series Immediately
After the Los Angeles Dodgers secured their World Series victory with Mookie Betts’s double in Game 7 against the Toronto Blue Jays, Clayton Kershaw admitted he didn't realize the series was over right away.
"I had no idea we won the World Series," Kershaw told Betts on the On Base podcast. "I was warming up in the bullpen. I saw Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit the double so I started getting going faster. I didn't see that Isiah Kiner-Falefa bunted. Addison Barger’s on first with the walk. So Alejandro Kirk grounds into the double play and I'm thinking, 'OK two outs, run scored, game's tied. They've got a lefty Daulton Varsho up, I'm in the game.' And bullpen coach Josh Bard’s just looking at me like, 'Why are you throwing? It’s over, we won the World Series.' He’s the one telling me we won the World Series. I was like, 'Oh, OK, that's great.'"
Details of the Final Inning
The dramatic bottom of the 11th inning began with pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who had already pitched 1.2 innings the previous day after starting Game 6. The inning unfolded quickly:
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a double.
- Isiah Kiner-Falefa advanced Guerrero to third with a sacrifice bunt.
- Addison Barger walked on four pitches, putting runners on first and third.
- Alejandro Kirk grounded to shortstop.
- Mookie Betts made a swift play, forcing out the runner at second and throwing to first to end the game and clinch the championship.
Author’s Summary
Kershaw's honest confusion at the moment underscored the intense pressure and unpredictable emotions during the Dodgers’ final World Series victory.